AI Overview
In the U.S., farmers have a significantly higher suicide rate than the general population, with some studies showing the rate can be 3.5 to 5 times higher
. This elevated risk is particularly pronounced among male farmers. Data on farmer suicide rates
- A 2020 Penn State Extension article, referencing a 2020 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, reported that the suicide rate for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers was 43.7 deaths per 100,000 people. This was the 6th highest rate among all occupations.
- The National Rural Health Association reported in 2024 that farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.
- Data from 2003–2017 found that suicide rates among male farmers were comparable to or exceeded rates among U.S. males overall during some years.
- A 2017 study by University of Iowa researchers found that agricultural workers had the highest suicide rate of all occupations from 1992 to 2010, at 3.5 times the rate of the general population.
- Rural suicide rates in general increased 46% between 2000 and 2020, compared to a 27.3% rise in metro areas.
Factors contributing to high suicide rates
Several factors contribute to the mental health crisis among American farmers:
- Financial distress: Economic instability is a major stressor, driven by factors such as fluctuating commodity prices, trade disruptions, rising equipment costs, and extreme weather events that affect crops and livestock. Historically, the farm crisis of the 1980s led to a significant increase in suicides and farm foreclosures.
- Social isolation: Farmers often live in geographically isolated rural areas, which can lead to loneliness and reduced social support. Access to mental health services is also more limited in these areas.
- Stigma: A traditional culture of self-sufficiency can prevent farmers from admitting mental health struggles and seeking help. This stigma can be particularly strong among older male farmers.
- Occupational hazards: The farming profession is uniquely stressful, with unpredictable environmental conditions, demanding work schedules, and a strong personal and emotional connection to the land and business.
- Access to lethal means: The prevalence of firearms in rural areas provides a readily available and lethal means for those experiencing suicidal impulses.
